The indigenous network decided to issue a resolution addressing the situation of violence and human rights violations suffered by the indigenous people in that area of Colombia.

In the past days there have been confrontations between indigenous leaders of Cauca and Army forces. The indigenous communities are mobilized. They want the State troops and especially the leftist guerrilla of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) to abandon their territories. There have been tens of indigenous representatives injured and yesterday, Fabian Guetio (20 years old) was murdered in La Laguna Siberia reserve, Caldono municipality. According to information provided by his family and authorities of the reserve, Guetio was murdered by the Army.

The organizations member of CAOI are: the Federation of Kichwa Peoples (ECUARUNARI), the National Council of Ayllus and Marcas of Qullasuyu of Bolivia (CONAMAQ), the National Confederation of Communities Affected by Mining in Peru (CONACAMI), the National Indigenous Organization of Colombia (ONIC), the Lafkenche Territorial Identity of Chile and the Organization of Indigenous Peoples and Nations of Argentina (ONPIA).

These organizations met at the 3rd Ordinary Meeting of CAOI, which took place in Bogota, capital city of Colombia, and Chinauta. There, CAOI issued a resolution that establishes that the Colombian indigenous peoples “are suffering one of the worst humanitarian crises, due to the deepening of the armed conflict, the lack of respect to their holy places, the serious human rights violations and the violations to the International Humanitarian Law”. This has resulted in hundreds of dead and injured people, especially in Cauca and a “certain and imminent risk of physical and cultural disappearance”.

The indigenous people of Cauca have historically claimed and defended their right to the territory, autonomy and a peaceful life.
They are gathered in ONIC and its regional office, the Indigenous Regional Council of Cauca (CRIC). They, and indigenous peoples in all Colombia, “are autonomous before all actors of the armed conflict and in this framework we demand the demilitarization of their territories as a strategy of survival and cultural continuity”, said CAOI.

The indigenous group supported and expressed their solidarity with the struggles of the indigenous people of Cauca, "especially the immediate demilitarization of their territories". They are demanding all actors in the armed conflict to respect life, culture and the right to the free determination of the native communities.

In addition, CAOI called the national and international community to “join the brothers and sisters of Cauca who are currently caught in the crossfire, with serious consequences for their physical and cultural life”.

The document drafted by the Andean indigenous organizations recognized the role of the indigenous leaders as a "peace force" and calls all actors of the armed conflict to respect the rules of the International Humanitarian Law and to establish mechanisms of dialogue to negotiate a way out. CAOI also urged the Colombian state to look for this way out including the participation of the civil society and especially the indigenous authorities "for the building of real and everlasting peace in Colombia".

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